BANBURY United’s season has already been a success, regardless of whether they reach the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division play-offs, according to manager Mike Ford.

The Puritans remain an outside bet to crash the party, despite being just one place adrift ahead of tomorrow’s trip to fellow challengers Frome Town.

A late Ricky Johnson header earned Banbury a 1-0 win over St Ives Town last week and cut the gap to fifth place to eight points, but Ford acknowledged his side’s outsider status.

“The top five have been in those positions all season,” he said.

“For any of them to miss out would be a disaster.

“We’ve already had a good season, so there’s no pressure on us.

“It’s all on them.”

In Division 1 South & West, North Leigh are also looking to mount an assault on the play-off spots as they travel to second-placed Tiverton Town.

Manager John Brough, who has a fully fit squad, believes his side’s hard-fought 2-2 draw with Larkhall Athletic last weekend is proof of a newfound determination.

He said: “The teams at the top find a way to get results, even when they don’t play well and that’s something I’ve tried to instil in the team this season.

“People say that when the chips are down, North Leigh can’t get results – that wasn’t the case on Saturday.”

Elsewhere, Wantage To-wn travel to Wimborne Town.

Kidlington welcome back top-scorer Anaclet Odhiambo and forward Mark Flanagan when they travel to basement side Petersfield Town in Division 1 Central.

However, the Greens are without the injured Kristian Thomas, Henry Owen, Chris Weedon and Ben Weedon.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Banbury Utd (v Frome Tn, away): from Harding, White, Nash, Odhiambo, Westbrook, Martin, Browne, Self, McEachran, Sambrook, Rimmer, Davies, McDonagh, Carnell, Humphreys, Ofosu, Smith, Bradbury, Johnson, Keranovic, Winters, Duku.

North Leigh (v Tiverton Tn, away): from Agboola, White, Fawke, Murphy, Hole, Hopkins, M Williams, L Williams, R James, D James, Wrona, Lymn, Wellon, Sysum, Seacole, Cook, Napa, Gunn.

Kidlington (v Petersfield Tn, away): from Warrell, Tetek, Willoughby, Quainton, Franklin, Castle, Coyle, Osborne-Rickets, Gabbidon, Janes, Harvey, E Odhiambo, A Odhiambo, Dunmall, Flanagan.